The strength of indoor hockey in Dubbo has been rewarded, with four players gaining selection in state sides to compete in next year’s National Championships.
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Eight Dubbo sides recently took part in the State Championships, continuing the sport’s growth in the local region.
A number of individual players stood out in their respective Championships, with Emma Corcoran gaining selection in the NSW under-21s and under-18s sides, while Courtney Hogan and Phoebe Bloink Hollier were also named in the 18s side and Lilli Campbell was chosen in the NSW under-15s squad.
All four will represent their state in the National Championships at the Illawarra in January.
For Corcoran, this is the latest in strong of representative selections but for a player like Hogan, the chance to play for your state is a brand new experience.
“I was very shocked at first,” Hogan said.
“But it’s a real honour to be able to represent your state at an Australian National Championship.
“It’s going to be good to be able to play alongside a few of the other Dubbo girls and its going to be a great experience.”
Hogan, Corcoran and Bloink Hollier were all part of the Dubbo under-18s side which shocked the competition at the State Championship, making it all the way to the grand final.
The biggest result came in the semis where Dubbo, after finishing second in thier pool, stunned Metro South West 1 3-2 to set up a decider against Illawarra South Coast 1.
Dubbo lost that match 2-0 but Bloink Hollier said it was still an effort to be proud of.
“No one expected Dubbo to go so well and then we won the semi-final in the last couple of minutes,” she said, adding the strong bond in her side helped.
“We all get along well and all have been playing for awhile together.”
Campbell had the chance to join her fellow Dubbo players in the 18s squad following her stunning recent form but with the two National Championships overlapping, will stay in her 15s squad.
She will be a key figure for a NSW side expected to battle it out for top spot.
“We (Dubbo) weren’t the strongest team but we held our own and our NSW side looks good, it’s strong,” she said.
“It should be hard (playing at Nationals) but we’re a strong state so we’ll perform.
For Corcoran, there will be double the amount of action, with the 18s and 21s Nationals to look forward to.
“Being able to play 21s and 18s is good because last year I was only able to play one,” she said.
“It’s really good I’ll get the chance to be the baby of a team and develop but also be the leader in a team and be the older players.”
And that leadership role is something she is something Corcoran relishes, with the local star expected to captain the NSW 18s.
“This year in the 18s outdoor I got to captain the team but besides that I’ve always been a younger player in the team so it’s good to be one of the older girls and be a leader.”
Emily Chaffey also played for Dubbo at the State Championships due to her home of Tamworth not having a side and she also scored state selection after starring for the local under-15s side.
Corcoran’s under-21s National Championship runs from January 10-13 at Wollongong. She will then play with Hogan, Bloink Hollier, Chaffey and the 18s from the 17th-21st. Campbell and the 15s play from January 21-25.
Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
